Quick Launch in Windows 7: Understanding the Purpose of the OS Element

Probably, it is not necessary to say that any computer system user who has at least the slightest idea of Windows OS knows its graphical interface. On the main screen in most cases below there is a special element on which the button "Start" and application icons are located. Now consider the Windows 7 system. The Quick Access toolbar has its advantages and some interesting settings. But first things first.

Quick Launch in Windows 7: What is it?

For anyone, probably, it's not news that since the appearance of Windows 95 (not compared with Windows 3.1), the panel is a constant and invariable attribute of any system. Let's look at the example of "Seven", why it was created and what functions the Quick Launch Windows 7 Panel does.

First of all, let's pay attention to the fact that the very element of the graphical interface of the operating system was created not only to place the notorious "Start" button on it. Its main purpose is to display all currently active utilities and applications, and, most importantly, the placement of program shortcuts to speed access to them without using the main menu, which is called by the same button "Start", or the physical search for the executable file in the same "Explorer."

Why do I need a Quick Launch bar in Windows 7?

As you could understand, even on the basis of the minimum information above, the panel itself is somehow too necessary element of the system, in general, and is not (especially in the Windows operating system provides the possibility of its hiding or full shutdown). The properties and settings of the panel will be discussed later.

In fact, the Quick Launch bar in Windows 7 (meaning the seventh version of the "operating system") has a number of interesting qualities. As you already know, you can mark it with any shortcut (link to the file), as well as on the "Desktop". But if a huge number of icons on the same "Desktop" can create a load on the graphics adapter, the placement of icons on this panel does not affect the performance of the system in any way.

Unusual panel appearance

If you look at the Quick Launch panel in Windows 7 more closely, you can see that it is radically different from all that we used to see earlier (or later). It, unlike all other versions of "Windy", by default is transparent.

This is achieved only through the use of the built-in Aero skin, which, again, with the initial installation of the system itself is installed by default. But, in principle, if you go into the settings section of personalization, almost all the effects can be removed and even bring the system into a form that visually can resemble even Windows '98 or 2000.

Quick setup

Typically, the Quick Launchpad is configured in Windows 7 exactly as in any other modification of the system.

True, if you previously needed to create a shortcut, and then place it on the "Desktop" with a subsequent dragging to the panel area, then the function of fixing the program became available. In other words, you do not need to create a shortcut - just select the appropriate command from the context menu.

As for the panel itself, it can either be fixed, or vice versa. With a fixed panel, add icons to it or change the size (most often horizontal) simply does not work. But (as usual) you can place the cursor on the line between the panel and the "Desktop" to change the vertical parameters by increasing the Quick Access Toolbar in Windows 7 as such or hiding it completely by dragging the cursor down.

It goes without saying that when you right-click on the panel, you can select the menu for creating a new one-with your own list of programs, links to files, notifications, and so on.

Keys and their combinations: Windows 7

As for the basic functional key combinations in the "seven", they practically remained (and remain) unchanged.

It should be noted at once that there are no specific commands that provide access directly to the panel of this type, in no Windows system. Windows 7 shortcuts can be interpreted only as a means of executing a specific command based on the executable file, service or dynamic library code. They are called either through the "Run" menu, or through the command line, or through special built-in features of the system.

Another thing is when for this element of the graphics mode of the OS you can add, say, an executable macro. In this case, the combination established during its use will perform an action, but when you create it, the process icon will automatically fit into the desired Windows 7 quick launch pad. This does not mean that the user gets access to the panel itself. No. It's just a call to the executable process. So it is very conditional on talking about access commands to this element of the system. So, you know, about any means of access to the panel without using the graphics mode and there can be no speech.